The first season of Pinoy Dream Academy formally began on August 27, 2006, and ended on December 16 of the same year replacing U Can Dance. Nikki Gil was the main host of this season, while joining her in the Saturday Gala Nights were Bianca Gonzalez, Roxanne Barcelo, and Toni Gonzaga. Sam Milby was also part of the Saturday shows, but had stopped appearing mid-season. Barcelo also hosted the UpLate edition of the show.
Yeng Constantino of Rizal was proclaimed as the "Grand Star Dreamer" of the first season on December 16, 2006. Jay-R Siaboc of Cebu and Ronnie Liang of Pampanga were proclaimed as the runners-up. The other finalists of the competition were Panky Trinidad of Cebu, Irish Fullerton of the United States of America and Chad Peralta of Australia. Constantino eventually became a successful recording artist in her own right.
Thirty-Eight contestants were chosen from different areas around the world. The Metro Manila dreamers all came from Metro Manila and nearby provinces. The dreamers from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao are called the regional dreamers. The dreamers from Australia, San Francisco, Dubai, Japan and Europe are called the global dreamers.
Contestants
On August 27, 2006, the Academy Dream Night took place in front of Cebu Provincial Capitol Grounds, hosted by Nikki Gil, Acoustic Jamming Section, where members were asked to sing their original composition; Music and Dance Section, where members sang popular dance songs; Music Literature Section, where members sang romantic ballads; Musicthectics Section, where members were asked to sing songs of the band, The Eraserheads, in their own style; Language of Music Section, where members sang native songs; and Rockers' Section, where members sang rock version of popular novelty songs. After two sections had performed, the hosts then announced the Academy finalists.
The selection of accepted finalists was done thrice, and 16 finalists accepted into the Academy on August 28. As a surprise twist, four more finalists were added to the roster and they entered the Academy the following day. The Scholars are expelled on the Saturday Gala Nights and Exit the Academy the next day.
Yeng Constantino was proclaimed the Grand Star Dreamer, followed by Jay-R Siaboc as the 2nd Star Dreamer and Ronnie Liang as the 3rd Star Dreamer. Panky Trinidad, Irish Fullerton and Chad Peralta were the other finalists of the competition.
Yeng Constantino (17, a "rebel-rocker" from Rodriguez, Rizal)Songs Performed
Hawak Kamay - Yeng Constantino, with Davey, Joan, Jun and Ronnie Dinggin - Davey Langit, with Iya, Kristoff, Michelle and RJ The Day You said Goodnight - Hale, with Chad, Michelle, RJ and Yvan Ang Pag-ibig Kong Ito - Moonstar88, medley with Michelle and Oona Ligaya - The Eraserheads, duet with RJ I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston Pangarap Lang - Alvin K. Gonzales, medley with Jay-R, Panky and Rosita In My Life - Patti Austin Together Again - Janet Jackson, medley with Eman and Panky You Oughta Know - Alanis Morissette, medley with Chad and Panky Bulag, Pipi at Bingi - Freddie Aguilar I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor I'll Never Get Over You Getting Over Me - Exposé Pag-alis - Barbie Almalbis, performance with Barbie Almalbis Awit ng Kabataan - Rivermaya (Opening Act), trio with Irish and Panky, Winner - December 16, 2006 Queen of the Night - Whitney Houston, medley and trio with Irish and Panky, Winner - December 16, 2006 Respect - Aretha Franklin, medley and trio with Irish and Panky, Winner - December 16, 2006 I'm Every Woman - Chaka Khan, medley and trio with Irish and Panky, Winner - December 16, 2006 Lady Marmalade - Labelle, medley and trio with Irish and Panky, Winner - December 16, 2006 Himala - Rivermaya, duet with Jay-R, Winner - December 16, 2006 Salamat - Yeng Constantino (Final Three Song), Winner - December 16, 2006
Jay-R Siaboc (19, the vocalist of Scrambled Eggs band from Cebu)Songs Performed
Babalik Rin - Yvan Lambatan, with Irish, Kristoff, Oona and Yvan Hilot - Jay-R Siaboc, with Chad, Eman, Jun and Yvan Isang Linggong Pag-ibig - Imelda Papin, with Geoff, Irish, Iya, Jun and Panky Arigato Tomodaci - Eman Abatayo, Jun Hirano and Jay-R Siaboc, with Eman, Kristoff and RJ (with Jun) Nanliligaw, Naliligaw - Lloyd Umali and Ima Castro, duet with Iya Hanggang - Wency Cornejo, medley with Chai, Irish, Ronnie and Rosita May Tama Ako - Rickenson Calubad, medley with Panky, Rosita and Yeng Ang Seksing Nobya Ko - unknown performer, medley with Iya Banal na Aso - Yano Too Much Love Will Kill You - Queen Salamat - Dawn, medley with Davey, Ronnie and Yvan Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Judy Garland Naglibog - Scrambled Eggs Ever Since the World Began - Survivor Bitiw - Sponge Cola, performance with Sponge Cola Superhero - Rocksteddy (Opening Act), trio with Chad and Ronnie, 1st Runner-Up - December 16, 2006 Kiss - Prince and The Revolution, medley and trio with Chad and Ronnie, 1st Runner-Up - December 16, 2006 Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? - Rod Stewart, medley and trio with Chad and Ronnie, 1st Runner-Up - December 16, 2006 Simply Irresistible - Robert Palmer, medley and trio with Chad and Ronnie, 1st Runner-Up - December 16, 2006 Himala - Rivermaya, duet with Yeng, 1st Runner-Up - December 16, 2006 Kisapmata - Rivermaya (Final Three Song), 1st Runner-Up - December 16, 2006
Ronnie Liang (21, a former Pinoy Pop Superstar contestant from Angeles City)Songs Performed
Hawak Kamay - Yeng Constantino, with Davey, Joan, Jun and Yeng Salamat Sa'Yo Ina - Ronnie Liang, with Davey, Gemma, Joan and Oona Karaniwang Tao - Joey Ayala, with Chai, Davey, Eman and Joan Magdalena - Freddie Aguilar (Tagalog with Italian translation), with Chad, Irish and Joan Kailangan Mo, Kailangan Ko - Richard Tan and Bambi Bonus, trio with Michelle and Oona Maging Sino Ka Man - Rey Valera, medley with Chai, Irish, Jay-R and Rosita Kung Kailangan Mo Ako - Rey Valera Macho Gwapito - Rico J. Puno Paglisan - Color It Red. medley with Chai and Jay-r Pangako Sa'yo - Sharon Cuneta Narda - Kamikazee, medley with Davey, Jay-R and Yvan Sana Ngayong Pasko - Ariel Rivera You Raise Me Up - Josh Groban Babaero - Randy Santiago Nakapagtataka - Sponge Cola, performance with Sponge Cola Superhero - Rocksteddy (Opening Act), trio with Chad and Jay-R, 2nd Runner-Up - December 16, 2006 Kiss - Prince and The Revolution, medley and trio with Chad and Jay-R, 2nd Runner-Up - December 16, 2006 Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? - Rod Stewart, medley and trio with Chad and Jay-R, 2nd Runner-Up - December 16, 2006 Simply Irresistible - Robert Palmer, medley and trio with Chad and Jay-R, 2nd Runner-Up - December 16, 2006 Habang May Buhay - Donna Cruz, duet with Irish,2nd Runner-Up - December 16, 2006 Nais Ko - Basil Valdez (Final Three Song), 2nd Runner-Up - December 16, 2006
Panky Trinidad (20, a passionate musician from Cebu)Songs Performed
Sunshine - Chad Peralta, with Chad, Chai, Gemma, and Rosita Behind Those Eyes - Panky Trinidad, with Chai, Geoff, Irish and Rosita Isang Linggong Pag-ibig - Imelda Papin, with Geoff, Irish, Iya, Jay-R and Jun No Touch - Rico J. Puno (Tagalog with Ilocano and Cebuano translation), with Chai, Davey, Geoff, Rosita and Yvan Yugyugan Na - Pot, duet with Eman Hard to Handle - Black Crowes Karamay - Gabriel Jesse T. Guevarra, medley with Jay-R, Rosita and Yeng Point of No Return -Zsazsa Padilla, medley with Irish Bring Me to Life - Evanescence, medley with Eman and Yeng Proud Mary - Creedence Clearwater Revival, medley with Chad and Yeng Beep Beep - Juan Dela Cruz, medley with Chad and Joan Santa Claus Is Coming to Town - Dolly Parton Crazy - Aerosmith T-R-O-U-B-L-E - Elvis Presley Taralets - Imago, performance with Imago Awit ng Kabataan - Rivermaya (Opening Act), trio with Irish and Yeng, Top 4 Finalist - December 16, 2006 Queen of the Night - Whitney Houston, medley and trio with Irish and Yeng, Top 4 Finalist - December 16, 2006 Respect - Aretha Franklin, medley and trio with Irish and Yeng, Top 4 Finalist - December 16, 2006 I'm Every Woman - Chaka Khan, medley and trio with Irish and Yeng, Top 4 Finalist - December 16, 2006 Lady Marmalade - Labelle, medley and trio with Irish and Yeng, Top 4 Finalist - December 16, 2006 Gemini - Sponge Cola, duet with Chad, Top 4 Finalist - December 16, 2006 We Will Rock You - Queen (Farewell Song), Top 4 Finalist - December 16, 2006
Irish Fullerton (23, a nursing student from California)Songs Performed
Babalik Rin - Yvan Lambatan, with Jay-R, Kristoff, Oona and Yvan Behind Those Eyes - Panky Trinidad, with Chai, Geoff, Panky and Rosita Isang Linggong Pag-ibig - Imelda Papin, with Geoff, Iya, Jay-R, Jun and Panky Magdalena - Freddie Aguilar (Tagalog with Italian translation), with Chad, Joan and Ronnie I Finally Found Someone - Barbra Streisand and Bryan Adams, duet with Chad Kailan Kaya - Sheryn Regis, medley with Chai, Jay-R, Ronnie and Rosita You Moved Me - Elisette Blancaflor, medley with Chad, Chai and Joan Larger than Life - Zsazsa Padilla, medley with Panky Somewhere - West Side Story I'll Never Love This Way Again - Dionne Warwick, medley with Joan and Michelle Ang Himig Natin - Juan Dela Cruz, medley with Rosita and Yeng O Holy Night - Mariah Carey Over the Rainbow - Judy Garland Hiram - Zsazsa Padilla Ewan - Imago, performance with Imago Awit ng Kabataan - Rivermaya (Opening Act), trio with Panky and Yeng, Top 5 Finalist - December 16, 2006 Queen of the Night - Whitney Houston, medley and trio with Panky and yeng, Top 5 Finalist - December 16, 2006 Respect - Aretha Franklin, medley and trio with Panky and Yeng, Top 5 Finalist - December 16, 2006 I'm Every Woman - Chaka Khan, medley and trio with Panky and Yeng, Top 5 Finalist - December 16, 2006 Lady Marmalade - Labelle, medley and trio with Panky and Yeng, Top 5 Finalist - December 16, 2006 Habang May Buhay - Donna Cruz, duet with Ronnie, Top 5 Finalist - December 16, 2006 Sana'y Maghintay Ang Walang Hanggan - Zsazsa Padilla (Farewell Song), Top 5 Finalist - December 16, 2006
Richard "Chad" Peralta (21, an IT consultant from Australia)Songs Performed
Sunshine - Chad Peralta, with Chai, Gemma, Panky and Rosita Hilot - Jay-R Siaboc, with Eman, Jay-R, Jun and Yvan The Day You said Goodnight - Hale, with Michelle, RJ, Yeng and Yvan Magdalena - Freddie Aguilar (Tagalog with Italian translation), with Irish, Joan and Ronnie I Finally Found Someone - Barbra Streisand and Bryan Adams, duet with Irish Bitiw - Sponge Cola, medley with RJ and Yvan Krishna's Eyes - Edgardo P. Miraflor Jr., medley with Chai, Irish and Joan Anak - Freddie Aguilar Bed of Roses - Bon Jovi Put Your Head on My Shoulder - Paul Anka, medley with Panky and Yeng Laklak - Teeth, medley with Joan and Panky Do They Know It's Christmas? - Band Aid If Tomorrow Never Comes - Garth Brooks With or Without You - U2 Stars - CallaLily, performance with CallaLily Superhero - Rocksteddy, trio with Jay-R and Ronnie, Top 6 Finalist - December 16, 2006 Kiss - Prince and The Revolution, medley and trio with Jay-R and Ronnie, Top 6 Finalist - December 16, 2006 Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? - Rod Stewart, medley and trio with Jay-R and Ronnie, Top 6 Finalist - December 16, 2006 Simply Irresistible - Robert Palmer, medley and trio with Jay-R and Ronnie, Top 6 Finalist - December 16, 2006 Gemini - Sponge Cola, duet with Panky, Top 6 Finalist - December 16, 2006 Love Story - Francis Lai (Farewell Song), Top 6 Finalist - December 16, 2006
Rosita Bareng (25, an OFW from Dubai)Songs Performed
Sunshine - Chad Peralta, with Chad, Chai, Gemma and Panky Behind Those Eyes - Panky Trinidad, with Chai, Geoff, Irish and Panky Tuwing Umuulan - Regine Velasquez No Touch - Rico J. Puno (Tagalog with Ilocano and Cebuano translation), with Chai, Davey, Geoff, Panky and Yvan Halik - Aegis Bituing Walang Ningning - Sharon Cuneta, medley with Chai, Irish, Jay-R and Ronnie